Duke Basketball: NBA Draft profile for sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr.
Draft Stock
Most draft websites project Trent to be a mid-to-late first or early second-round pick. These projections make it seem extremely likely that he hears his name called during the NBA Draft but there is a wide range of teams that might be interested in his services. Strong performances at the NBA Combine or in pre-draft workouts could secure a first-round guarantee for the Duke star.
Here is a look at where Trent is being selected in some of the more recent NBA Mock Drafts:
- Sports Illustrated: 42nd to the Detroit Pistons
- Hoops Habit: 16th to the Phoenix Suns
- Bleacher Report: 22nd to the Utah Jazz
- Yahoo! Sports: 16th to the Phoenix Suns
According to The News and Observer, Gary Trent Sr. relates his son’s game to driving with a luxury car: “If you take a Bugatti and put it on a pedestrian street, you’re only allowed to use 60 miles per hour. Because the car is driven at 60 miles per hour, does that mean it cannot go 200 miles per hour? That’s how I feel about my son’s talent.”
While this might be a tad bit over the top, it is true that Trent has not yet reached his ceiling. He is still developing as a player and can succeed right away in the NBA. If taken in the first round, his role will likely be as a bench scorer for a current contender. If taken early in the second round, a heavier scoring load may be placed on his shoulders.
Next: Where is Duke in our preseason 2019 Bracketology?
Trent might not be the top NBA prospect from Duke but he should find a place in The Association. He has a valuable set of skills for today’s NBA. Because of this, Trent looks poised to find a long-term role in the league.